I’m so excited to share some of my favorite things with you. Not everything is kitchen-related. I’m always on the hunt for great ideas that make life easier for others. As a busy mom of three, a media chef, fitness instructor and nutrition consultant, I need things that are helpful to my life, provide me with time and/or make things healthier in some way. When I give gifts, I have the same criteria in mind. I usually like to take an idea, like the avocado saver, for example, and turn it into a cool foodie gift for, say, a guacamole lover. To do that, I’d simply wrap up the gift item with a bag of avocados, some hot sauce, seasoning and a bag of artisan chips. These rather inexpensive, yet thoughtful gifts, can be transformed into something larger, grander and more customized if you think outside the box. Click underneath the photo for more info or to purchase. I’m not an affiliate for any of these items…I just love them and either own, or have purchased them for myself and friends.

These bottles are not only gorgeous, but the keep your cold drinks cold for 12 hours! I own the 25 ounce S’well with a brown leather wrap. My only critique is that the mouth of the bottle is huge, so if I have ice in my bottle, it shoots right into my mouth. My daughter has the below bottle and I think it keeps her drinks slightly colder than mine. It also has more of a coffee cup lid, so no ice plops on your face. But, I think my S’well bottle is much cuter. I think it is a toss up. This is what I bought for my mom this year.

Keeps cold things cold for 24 hours and hot things hot for 12. I ordered 5 of these as gifts this year. Again, slightly more run of the mill as far as style goes, but functionally, it is spot on. Price-wise, both bottles are about the same. There are several sizes and colors from which to choose.

It is no secret that I am madly in love with Flavor God. I own every flavor they’ve ever created and I love them all. It is like Mrs. Dash on steroids. I use them EVERY day. I cannot say enough about the amazing, low-sodium flavor these provide. These make plain meals like chicken and broccoli anything but boring, and elevate my intricate meals into something memorable. Everyone needs these! Check Facebook, as they often provide great discount coupons.

I own 6 of these in varying sizes. I also own silicone muffin cups and ramekins, Nothing sticks. I mean NOTHING! Parchment paper is fine, but these are reusable, better for the environment and work even better.

You do not have to be a foodie to need/want/have one of these. I’d venture to say that any health fanatic would love it! Why? Well, you can make lots of kale, zucchini, broccoli or apple chips for a fraction of the price in stores. Just slice, season and set the temperature. In anywhere from 2-12 hours, you have crispy and delicious veggies that even kids love and devour.

I have had my counter top device for 14 years. It saves me SO much time! I’ll often throw in a bunch of butternut squash, or a head of cauliflower, and within minutes, the food is ready to be pureed into soup or riced to make cauliflower crust pizza. Steaming preserves many of the nutrients that boiling loses too. These are not too big, so don’t think you don’t have the space.

You don’t have to be busy to need this super cool device. Maybe it’s for your frugal friend who hates waste, or your guacamole-loving friend, or your fit macro-tracking friend….no mater how you slice it (HA-HA), they’ll love this device that keeps your avocado from turning brown and ugly.

Any mom with kids knows how tough life can be when the kids are hungry every 30 minutes. This slicer is safe enough for older kids to use themselves, saving you time, or if you like to do it, it still saves you time. As a gift idea, gift some one one of these, a basket of fresh apples and a jar of cinnamon or these super yummy lemon granules (below).

Matcha is a superfood. Studies show it helps prevent cancer and has anti-oxidants through the roof. I like to make little lattes out of mine. Look for organic when buying. You can make desserts and ice cream out of it, but I just like to heat up come water and coconut milk and add vanilla stevia drops and whisk everything until it’s lightly sweet and a replacement for coffee in the afternoon. Click here to find my cute food gift ideas and a little recipe for matcha latte gifts in a jar.

This thing does what a slow cooker does, but better, and in a fraction of the time. I can throw a whole roasted chicken in mine with garlic and 1/2 cup broth and within 35 minutes, it will be completely cooked and falling off the bone. You can do soups in minutes, roasts and all kind of meat and poultry with the most moist results you’ve ever seen. It’s about $130 and worth every penny!

Every girl needs this! I LOVE cosmetics, but I like to sample before I invest. Birchbox comes to your house every month with 4-5 samples sizes of lotions, lipsticks, mascaras, dry shampoo, and SO much more. It’s only $10 per month and you can decide how long you wish to gift it.

I love the smell of candles, but most are full of yucky chemicals. There are some safe varieties, so be sure to do your homework before buying. I found this one at Anthropologie and it smells like Xmas trees, which I need because my tree is fake this year.

I think men are incredibly hard to buy for. One of my students suggested this last year and I signed up my husband. He LOVES it! Each month he gets really nice razors sent to him, which reminds him to toss the ones that might cut him. Plus, razors are expensive in the stores. I pay about $6 per month for his shipment.

This book isn’t just for the men in your life, it’s for anyone and everyone. It helps you learn the 8 key steps to greatness and provides actionable steps to get there. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to climb the corporate ladder, start your own business, or be the happiest stay at home mom you can possibly be…this book speaks to you wherever you are, and helps you create positive habits that last a lifetime.

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Erin Woodbury

I'm a happily married fitness freak and mom to three amazing, super-fit kids. My passion is creating original recipes and transforming unhealthy eats into healthy treats. I believe in balancing macro-nutrients as often as possible, and cooking to delight the ones I love in the cleanest, yummiest ways possible. As a nutrition coach, trainer and fitness instructor, I feel food is fuel, but it should also taste splendid, because after all, you only live once.